AANA journal
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Warming of intravenous fluids can decrease the incidence of hypothermia in surgical patients. A quasi-experimental research design was used to compare the delivered temperature of fluids using a conventional blood warmer and the Thermal Jacket, an insulation device designed for intravenous fluid bags. Fluids were divided into one control and three experimental groups. ⋯ Analysis of variance showed a highly significant difference between the delivered temperatures using the various temperature maintenance devices, as well as varying flow rates. The Thermal Jacket, used with prewarmed intravenous fluids, was as effective as the conventional method of delivering warmed fluids. Also, within the range of flow rates studied, faster flow rates tended to yield higher delivered temperatures.
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A sore throat is the most frequent adverse side effect of general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between intravenous lidocaine given during induction of general endotracheal anesthesia and postanesthesia sore throat. In addition, the study examined selected variables (bucking; gender; smoking; type of laryngoscope blade; and use of succinylcholine, condenser-humidifiers, or analgesic medication during the previous hour) in relation to the occurrence of postoperative sore throat. ⋯ The researcher administered the visual analogue scale to 139 subjects at 21 to 27 hours following termination of the anesthetic in order to rate sore throat. A retrospective chart review provided data on the variables selected for study and those that were controlled. Chi-square and independent t-tests revealed that a decrease in the severity of the sore throat, as recorded on the visual analogue scale, was significantly related to use of intravenous lidocaine and condenser-humidifiers.
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Developmental strides in cardiopulmonary resuscitation were paralleled by acquired knowledge of pulmonary and cardiac physiology. The evolution of the current recommendations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation have evolved over the past 40 years as a result of human trial and error and have been authenticated through laboratory research and clinical experience. Current research efforts in cardiopulmonary resuscitation are examining the mechanisms of blood flow during external cardiac massage and techniques to optimize myocardial and cerebral perfusion during the resuscitative period. ⋯ Prior to the 1950s, the occurrence of cardiac arrest was associated with the conduct of anesthesia and surgery. Although infrequent today by comparison, cardiac arrest continues to occur with the conduct of regional and general anesthesia. This course will review the etiology of cardiac arrest during anesthesia, detail the mechanisms of blood flow during resuscitation, and review the pharmacological importance of epinephrine for the preservation of myocardial and neurologic function.